Ensuring services and programs are delivered by skilled employees
Washington’s state employees provide the essential services that our communities depend on. They teach and provide care for our children. They operate our ferries and plow snow off our roads. They inspect food for safety. They provide skilled care to people in our veterans’ homes, behavioral health facilities, and corrections institutions. These are important jobs, and when we don’t have skilled people to perform these important jobs, services are delayed and people are harmed.
Staffing shortages can pose risks for those in the state’s care or impact the state’s ability to reliably operate the ferry system. They can also be costly, increasing overtime costs or jeopardizing federal funding.
The 2024 Washington State Employee Compensation Survey found the state’s compensation still lags behind competitors in other in-state private and public employers, as well as other state governments. Fair compensation, affordable benefits, and supportive workplaces are necessary to attract, retain, and motivate the skilled professionals who keep Washington running.
Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) are central to these efforts. CBAs are labor agreements that cover about 80% of the state’s workforce — including human services, general government, community colleges, and Washington State Ferries. These agreements also secure health care benefits for both public and school employees.
For the 2025–27 biennium, the Office of Financial Management reached 32 agreements that are tailored to the state’s workforce and operational needs. Key provisions include:
- Maintaining the health care premium split to keep benefits affordable.
- General wage increases to address the impacts of inflation.
- Competitive pay for low-wage workers.
- Targeted wage increases for roles with recruitment and retention challenges.
- Premium pay for employees who accept positions in hard-to-fill environments or shifts.
The total 2025-27 cost of these bargained agreements and other compensation increases for workers who deliver vital care to our most vulnerable neighbors and essential services to our broader community is $2.6 billion. These investments lead to a more stable economy and improve the quality of life for everyone.
